[F4] Retail deposit and investment rates

F4 RETAIL DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT RATES

Data are compiled on the last working day of the month and are rounded to the nearest 5 basis points.

Figures for ‘banks’ transaction accounts’ and ‘cash management accounts at banks’ are averages of the five largest banks’ rates where available, otherwise the averages are for the four largest banks.

Figures for ‘building societies’ transaction accounts’ are the average rates for the five largest building societies, by total deposits.

Figures for ‘credit unions’ transaction accounts’ are a trimmed average for the seven largest credit unions, by total deposits.

Figures for 'building societies' transaction accounts' and 'credit unions' transaction accounts' were discontinued after August 2011, as a result of a number of credit unions and building societies reclassifying as mutual banks. Figures for ‘building societies, credit unions and mutual banks’ transaction accounts' are a trimmed average for the 10 largest ADIs that are identified as either a credit union, building society or a bank with a mutual corporate structure.

‘Bonus savings accounts’ are deposit accounts that pay a higher rate of interest if at least one deposit and no withdrawals are made each month. Figures for ‘banks’ bonus savings accounts’ are an average of the five largest banks’ rates assuming these requirements are met. Prior to April 2003, the average is for three of the five largest banks; between April 2003 and April 2005, the average is for four of the five largest banks.

Figures for ‘cash management trusts’ are the weighted average net yield to unit holders. Data are only available to March 2009. Between December 2003 and March 2009, the data were sourced from ABS Cat No 5655.0, which was published quarterly. Prior to December 2003 the data were sourced from ABS Cat No 5635.0.40.001, which was published monthly.

‘Online savings accounts’ are internet-based deposit accounts that typically have no or low minimum balance requirements; no account-servicing fees; limited transaction capabilities, and usually must be linked to a separate transaction account into and out of which funds can be transferred electronically. Figures for ‘online savings accounts’ are a trimmed average of the interest rates on the accounts offered by prominent providers, including the five largest banks.

Figures for ‘banks’ term deposits’, where available, are averages of the five largest banks’ rates, except prior to April 2001, when the averages are for the four largest banks.

The term deposit ‘average rate (all terms)’ is the average rate on $10 000 term deposits across all terms at the five largest banks, including their advertised ‘specials’ and regular rates.

The term deposit ‘average ‘special’ rate (all terms)’ is a simple average of the five largest banks' ‘special’ rates. From February 2009, the rate is based on the banks’ advertised ‘special’ rates. Prior to this, the ‘specials’ were determined by the RBA.

Due to the nature of these data sources, these rates are indicative only and are likely to be regularly revised. The RBA continuously reviews a variety of sources for deposit rate data and may make changes to the series provided here as a result.